Top 4 Myths About Punta Cana’s Safety
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is a popular tourist destination for good reason. All the rumors you’ve heard about its rare tropical beauty are true. We have beautiful, soft, white sandy beaches here, lots of swaying palm trees, a near-constant gentle breeze, and some of the most vivid turquoise blue waters you’ll ever see anywhere.
But you may also have heard other, more unsavory things about this glorious place. Consequently, you might be wondering: Is Punta Cana safe? And is it safe to travel to Punta Cana?
The answer is: yes, of course! All the bad things you’ve heard are just myths. Below, we dispel the top 4 myths about Punta Cana safety in 2022.
Myth #1: Resort Security Is Not Good
Don’t believe what some of the resort snobs tell you regarding safety. Punta Cana is one of the safest vacation spots in the Caribbean. Hotel security is top-notch! There’s even a special branch of the police department called POLITUR devoted to tourists’ safety. POLITUR officers are often stationed in hotels, and many of them do nothing except scope the resort to make sure tourists are safe and having fun.
Myth #2: The Local People Aren’t Friendly
You may have heard that the local people aren’t friendly and will treat you coldly. But the truth is that Punta Cana is welcoming to all kinds of people, including tourists.
Furthermore, if you’re worried about not understanding the local language, don’t be. You’ll hear the English language almost everywhere, thanks to all the people from Western and European countries who live, work, or have retired to Punta Cana. These “expats” are mostly from Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the United States, Germany, and even from various places in South America and Russia.
It’s truly amazing to see how many people from all over the world coexist and interact harmoniously together here in Punta Cana.
Myth #3: The Vendors Are Out To Scam You
Many stories of Punta Cana and other resort towns tell about vendors whose only mission in life, it seems, is to scam you. That’s not the case in Punta Cana.
Indeed, you will probably be approached by locals who want you to buy their wares. But these are good people who have their own families to feed. They will try to sell you things for more than you should pay. But if you’re happy with your negotiated price, and they’re happy, then everyone is happy!
On the other hand, if you don’t want to be bothered, kindly say, “Not today, thank you.” Or, if you want to impress them with your Spanish, say, “No hoy Gracias” (the “h” in “hoy” is silent). With this simple phrase, the vendor will respectfully move along and stay out of your way.
Myth #4: Punta Cana Is Beset By Crime
Don’t be afraid to leave your hotel room based on the myths you’ve heard about the city’s crime rate. In truth, since 2006, Punta Cana has been consistently reported as having one of the lowest crime rates in the world. That’s mostly because of the low number of drug crimes committed here. Unlike some regions affected by Colombian drug cartels, Punta Cana has managed to keep drug-related activities at bay.
The local government punishes drug possession harshly – even if the person who possesses it is a tourist! This strict stance is in stark contrast to the adult use legalization trends seen in some other countries. To further combat drug-related issues, Punta Cana has implemented a comprehensive drug education curriculum in schools, fostering awareness from a young age.
The only crime-related activity you should be aware of is petty theft (especially of cell phones, according to some people). Just use common sense, and be careful what valuables you carry around with you during your stay.
So, is Punta Cana safe in 2022? The answer is, once again, a resounding YES! Start planning your trip today!
